ESP LTD James Hetfield Vulture Guitar Olympic White
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ESP LTD James Hetfield Vulture Guitar Olympic White
In stock
- SKU
- LVULTUREOW
- Color
- White
. Description
Sound & Tone
The mahogany body and set-neck, three-piece mahogany construction give this guitar a thick midrange and long sustain, while the Macassar ebony fingerboard and 24.75" scale add articulation with a slightly slinkier feel under the fingers. The active EMG Het Set pushes high output with tight, defined attack from the steel-pole bridge pickup and a fuller low end from the ceramic-pole neck unit, keeping fast riffing and palm-muted chugs clear even under heavy gain. Dual volume controls and a TonePros locking bridge with locking tuners make it a stable, focused choice for modern metal rhythm work, thrash picking, and cutting lead lines.
ESP LTD James Hetfield Vulture Guitar Olympic White
The James Hetfield Vulture captures aggressive, articulate metal tones with the playability and tonal clarity demanded in professional studio sessions. Its set-neck mahogany construction and thin U neck contour create a responsive instrument that balances sustain with speed, while the 24.75" scale and 22 extra-jumbo frets enable precise tracking and confident playing across the entire fingerboard.
Tracking & Performance
The thin U contour neck paired with a 350mm fingerboard radius and 42mm molded nut supports consistent finger placement for clean, repeatable takes during recording sessions. The set-neck construction ensures rock-solid sustain and stability, while LTD locking tuners and a TonePros locking TOM bridge with tailpiece maintain precise intonation across multiple takes and editing decisions.
Recording & Tone Shaping
The signature EMG Het Set pickups—featuring ceramic poles in the neck position for attack and fuller low end, and steel pole pieces in the bridge for tight attack and cleaner definition—deliver the high-output clarity and punch that cuts through dense mixes and sits naturally in aggressive production. Independent volume controls for each pickup and a toggle switch provide versatile tonal shaping within a single take, reducing the need for multiple re-records.
Key Features
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: 3-piece Mahogany with set-neck construction
- Neck Contour: Thin U
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony, 350mm radius
- Frets: 22 Extra-Jumbo with dot inlays and custom vulture inlay at 12th fret
- Pickups: EMG Het Set Neck (ceramic poles) and Bridge (steel poles)
- Electronics: Active with dual volume knobs and toggle switch
- Tuners: LTD Locking
- Bridge: TonePros Locking TOM & Tailpiece
- Finish: Olympic White with black hardware
- Case: Included Vulture form-fit case
This instrument combines professional-grade electronics, rock-solid construction, and proven hardware in a single platform, delivering the clarity and articulation required in demanding studio environments and complex production workflows.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
Specifications
| Body Style | Explorer |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 24.75" Scale |
| Frets | 22 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Pickups | Active HH |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic / Stopbar |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Made In | South Korea |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Touring
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What neck profile does the Vulture have, and is it right for fast metal players?
The Vulture features a thin U-contour neck with a 350mm fingerboard radius and 42mm nut width, designed specifically for rapid position shifts and confident fret access across all 22 extra-jumbo frets. This geometry is engineered for thrash and metal playing where speed and accuracy are essential.
How do the EMG Het pickups differ between neck and bridge positions?
The neck pickup uses ceramic poles to deliver fuller low-end attack and warmth, while the bridge pickup employs steel pole pieces for tight attack and cleaner high-end definition. Both are high-output active designs that provide the clarity and punch required in modern metal.
Will this guitar stay in tune during aggressive bending and heavy playing?
Yes—the set-neck mahogany construction provides rock-solid structural stability, while the LTD locking tuners and TonePros locking TOM bridge with tailpiece are engineered to maintain tuning integrity through aggressive playing and string bending.
What is included with this guitar?
The James Hetfield Vulture ships with a form-fit vulture case designed to protect the guitar during touring and transport.
Is this guitar suitable for genres outside of metal?
The Vulture is engineered specifically for metal, thrash metal, and hard rock and is not optimized for jazz, blues, or folk playing styles.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $112 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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